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DAPCAN
Desert AIDS Project - Community Action Newsletter
June 16, 2011 |
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Lunar Eclipse Red Moon Over Kenya |
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Editorial Staff | |
David Brinkman
Chief Executive Officer
Barry Dayton
Director of Marketing and Communications
Alexis Ortega
Interactive Marketing
Specialist
Rick Vila
Volunteer Co-editor
John Lewis
Volunteer Co-editor
Steve Bolerjack
Volunteer Co-editor
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| Community Center Events | |
The Community Center hosts regular activities and events every week. Special featured events are listed below. For in-depth view of other events, just click GO.
Tuesday, June 21, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Community Center Presents - TOBACCO'S WAR ON CULTURE
 Please join us in the D.A.P. Community Center for this important luncheon / presentation on the complications of tobacco use as it relates to HIV/AIDS, medicinal use, and other diseases with health educator, Lesly J. Valbrun, MPH. Lunch will be served at 11:45. Please RSVP to Ed at 760.323.2118 ext 295, or escarry@desertaidsproject.org . Kick the habit!
Friday, June 24, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Community Center Presents - INTERNATIONAL ADHERENCE CONFERENCE
 Please join us in the D.A.P. Community Center for this informative luncheon / presentation on the latest news from the International Adherence Conference. Lunch will be served at 11:45 courtesy of Tibotec. Please RSVP to Ed at 760.323.2118 ext 295, or escarry@desertaidsproject.org. Stay on track!
Community Center Presents - LET'S ALL GO TO THE MOVIES Please join us in the D.A.P. Community Center for movie screenings every Thursday starting at 1 PM. Free pizza, salad, sweets, and drinks provided. June 23 - MOMMIE DEAREST(1981) 
Mommie Dearest, best-selling memoir turned motion picture, depicts the abusive and traumatic adoptive upbringing of Christina Crawford at the hands of her mother...screen queen Joan Crawford. Roll film! Regular recurring Community Center activities each week include:
- Pozitively Positive
- Spiritual Living 101
- Hepatitis C Therapy Education
- Diabetes Educatiion
- Community Center Computer Lab
- Lending Library
To see the Community Services Wing calendar of support groups and events, click GO.
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Everyone in a community has a right to a decent quality of life.
Everyone is worthy of respect and equal consideration.
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These are just two of the Community Service Values that guide Desert AIDS Project. They are central to how we conduct ourselves on a daily basis - not only with our clients but also with our staff, donors, volunteers, and all other members of D.A.P.
Dr. Clayton Barbour and Joe Dahman, Nurse Practitioner, recently made the decision to leave Desert AIDS Project after many years of good and faithful service. While we are all sorry to see them go, we honor their choice and wish them happiness and success as they begin new chapters in their lives.
However, we know that if either of them have been your primary medical provider, you may be left wondering "What now?" The purpose of this letter is to begin a dialogue between you and our medical staff for any concerns that you may have.
Let us begin by assuring you that, as an AIDS service organization, serving those with HIV and AIDS continues to be our expertise and mission. Because we know that our clients face stigma and discrimination, we're committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment where people with HIV are treated with dignity and compassion.
While we complete our search to find the ideal medical providers for you, please understand that D.A.P.'s medical clinic will be fully staffed. There will be no change in your nurse or case manager as essential members of the team that support your complete medical and social service needs. Dr. Shubha Kerkar, one of the Coachella Valley's foremost infectious disease doctors, will continue her long-standing association with us and may act as an interim provider for some of you. Some of our other excellent providers available to serve you include Kinji Hawthorne, MD; Michael D. Greene, DNP, APRN-BC; Jean Davis, PAC, DC; Ashley Nguyen, MD; and Dr. Daniel Pearce, DO.
We know that the only sure thing in life is change. Please know that our #1 goal right now is to minimize any disruption to your life and health that might be caused by these changes in our medical clinic staff. That's why one of the Guiding Principles for Desert AIDS Project is:
We will always listen first, and then act with openness, honesty, and integrity so that our relationships flourish.
As we work through these changes, please feel free to contact your case manager or us with any concerns you may have.
Sincerely, | |
David Brinkman, MBA
CEO, Desert AIDS Project |
Joy Hamilton, MD
Director of Clinical Services
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DAPCAN's editors, and D.A.P. clients and volunteers wish Dr. Barbour and Joe Dahman much success in their future endeavors, and we say THANKS for many wonderful years of dedication to D.A.P.'s clients! (rv)
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D.A.P. Progress Report coincides with 30th anniversary
David Brinkman, CEO of D.A.P., recently released the Spring 2011 Progress Report that describes everything D.A.P. is currently doing to continue meeting its mission on behalf of those affected by or at-risk for HIV. It notes significant improvements in treatments and infection prevention. Brinkman also recalled how D.A.P. has been here almost from the beginning--August will mark its 27th anniversary. "I speak for everyone at the Desert AIDS Project," said Brinkman, "when I say that we would gladly walk out of this building forever with smiles on our faces--if it meant that AIDS was no longer alive in the world." He reiterated D.A.P.'s mission: care, prevention and advocacy. Click here to read the full Progress Report. (sb)
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Rare lunar eclipse
Has your Palm Springs moon been a little brighter? Yesterday's lunar eclipse is known as a relatively rare central lunar eclipse, in which the center point of Earth's shadow passes across the Moon. The last time a lunar eclipse was closer to the center of the earth's shadow was on July 16, 2000. The next central total lunar eclipse will be on July 27, 2018. (rv)
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Ten things to do in Palm Springs this summer
Summer is here and while tourists may be leaving, locals can look forward to less traffic and two-for-one summer specials at our favorite restaurants. While the weather may get a little 'toasty' in the upcoming months, here are ten reasons to stick around and enjoy your summer here in the desert...and many of them are free! Click on a link for more information.
- Time Warp - Mid-summer Dance Party IV: July 23, 2011, benefiting D.A.P.
- Community Center activities at D.A.P.: Thursday movies & pizza, support groups, computer lab, Lending Library, etc...or just drop in to cool off. All free!
- Summer Film Series at the Annenberg: Thurs, Jun 2 - Sep. 1. Free!
- Palm Springs International ShortFest and Film Market: June 21 - 27, 2011.
- Baseball and fireworks - All American Fourth of July in Palm Springs: July 4, 2011.
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: 60 Summer Pass - Ride all summer for $60!
- Palm Springs Certified Farmer's Market: Saturdays, 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Free!
- Palm Springs Villagefest: Thursday evenings, 7:00 - 10:00 PM. Free!
- Palm Springs Art Museum: Free Thursdays 4:00 - 8:00 PM and 2nd Sundays. (jl)
Enjoy your summer!
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| A Look Back at "30 Years of AIDS" |
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Rare cancer seen in 41 homosexuals
Doctors in New York and California have diagnosed among homosexual men 41 cases of a rare and often rapidly fatal form of cancer. Eight of the victims died less than 24 months after the diagnosis was made. The cause of the outbreak is unknown, and there is as yet no evidence of contagion. Are you alarmed? This was the headline in an article that appeared in the New York Times, July 5, 1981. Now known as HIV/AIDS, and impacting millions across the globe, homosexual and heterosexual alike, there is still no cure. Thirty years later, we are still fighting a virus that, despite great improvements in available therapies, still kills. What are you doing for this cause? (rv)
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Marcus Conant, MD, says it is time for a new strategy aimed at preventing HIV Dr. Marcus Conant, a well-known dermatologist at the University of California, San Francisco, who in 1981 was among the first physicians to identify AIDS, and was a cofounder of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, said it's time for a a new strategy to prevent HIV infection. The current prevention strategy is based on education about the use of condoms and other safe sex practices, along with voluntary testing for HIV, which according to Dr. Conant is not working. Roughly 58,000 new cases of HIV have occurred annually in the United States over the past 15 years. "What was true 30 years ago is no longer true today, and yet we're caught in this time warp where we're not changing how we approach the disease. My message really is what we were doing 30 years ago was applicable then, but it's not applicable today," Dr. Conant said. Dr. Conant believes that stopping the HIV epidemic requires testing everyone, treating everyone who is infected, and monitoring all infected individuals in order to strongly encourage maintaining an undetectable viral load. Click to read the full article regarding Dr. Conant's statements at the recent World Congress of Dermatology in Seoul, South Korea. (rv)
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Vacations and retreats for people with HIV/AIDS
 With summer here, many folks with chronic health issues may simply need to get away! But finding appropriate destinations and manageable activities can be complicated for people living with HIV/AIDS. Increasingly, there are more options available designed for them, from camping to cruising, from rafting to riding. Some activities are for HIV-positive folks only, which can help make socializing easier and eliminate the need to explain oneself. Click here and here for links and more information. One of our favorites is San Francisco-based Healing Waters Wilderness Adventures. Click here for its rafting/kayaking information. (sb)
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The Client Advocacy Committee wants YOU!
 The Client Advocacy Committee (CAC) at Desert AIDS Project is a group of D.A.P. clients who endeavor to help improve services to all clients through suggestions, advocacy for funding for all people with HIV/AIDS and increased education and awareness of services available to clients through D.A.P. The committee is currently seeking new members. Applications are available at the main reception desk. Potential members may also apply by attending CAC meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at 2:00 PM in the D.A.P. Community Center or by email at Cletus.Warren@yahoo.com. (jl) Back to top |
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AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) phone numbers
ADAP for Riverside County has a new fax number. Clients may fax their verifications to the Moreno Valley office at 951.486.4434. You can also contact the County of Riverside directly at 951.486.5400 to make an ADAP appointment or ask questions regarding ADAP. (jl)
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Call 211 for essential human services in Riverside County
2-1-1 is a toll-free service for residents looking for information about essential human services such as affordable housing, food pantries, help for an aging parent, free or low cost health services, addiction prevention programs, employment, support groups, volunteer opportunities, and 1,700 additional services! (jl)
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"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."
--- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Desert AIDS Project - Community Action Newsletter (DAPCAN) presents published material, reprinted with permission, and neither endorses or opposes any material. All information contained in this newsletter, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. Always discuss treatment options with a physician who specializes in treating HIV. Publication of the name or likeness of any individual in articles in this newsletter is not to be construed as any indication of the HIV status of such individual. If you do not wish to receive this e-newsletter, please notify us by using the email address below.
For questions, comments, or unsubscribe contact us at : DAPCAN@DesertAIDSProject.org
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